Snowbound: Miracle Marriage (Lakeside Mountain Rescue 8)

Maggie looked startled. ‘She let him cry?’

‘Well…’ Patrick ran his hand over the back of his neck ‘…she left the room. Said she needed a bath or something. Wanted to read her book.’

‘In other words, she couldn’t bear to hear him crying and not comfort him.’ Maggie folded her arms. ‘If you ask me, Hayley thinks she has to leave and she’s doing everything she can to make it seem as though she wants to.’

‘What?’ Patrick was totally confused. ‘Is that female logic? Because if so, could it please come with a translation? I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘For an incredibly intelligent man, you can be very dim.’ Maggie stood up and walked across the room until she was standing in front of him. ‘Hayley is in love with you. That is a fact. I know you haven’t known each other very long, I know it’s all been a bit whirlwind, but she is definitely in love with you. She is also in love with your children. If she’s talking about leaving then it’s because something has happened.’ She frowned. ‘Or maybe because something hasn’t happened. Did you propose to her?’

‘Of course I didn’t propose to her!’ Patrick looked at his colleague in incredulous disbelief. ‘Maggie, I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.’

‘Well, you obviously weren’t getting anywhere by yourself. Could that be the problem? Have you told her that you love her?’

‘I—No, I haven’t because I don’t even know that I…’ Patrick rubbed his fingers across his forehead. ‘Maggie, I’ve been married before—’

‘To a woman you didn’t love. And that was entirely different.’

‘I’ve only known Hayley for a few weeks.’

‘And in that time you have more feeling for her than you ever did for your wife.’

Stunned, Patrick let his hand drop. ‘How do you know that?’

‘Because Christmas is a bad time of year for you, my friend,’ Maggie said softly. ‘And suddenly, this year, it’s all different. You’re smiling. You’re relaxed. Your children are smiling and relaxed. Ask yourself why, Patrick. And then do something about it. Quickly. Before it’s too late.’

‘I’ll go and prepare the pool for you, Ruth,’ Hayley said. ‘You might like to take a walk up the corridor and back again. It’s good to keep moving at this stage of your labour. I’ll only be in the room across the way, but if you need anything, just press the buzzer.’

Feeling exhausted and slightly sick, she took refuge in the empty room opposite.

As she prepared the pool, she pondered on the fact that this was her last shift.

She really ought to ring her mother and warn her that she was coming home tomorrow, but she couldn’t face the conversation.

Neither could she face the thought of moving out of Patrick’s house.

Of leaving the children.

Tears filled her eyes and she tested the temperature of the water, barely able to see the thermometer. Oh, this was ridiculous! If this was what being pregnant was like, she’d better buy shares in a tissue company.

‘Hayley?’ Patrick’s voice came from the doorway and she realised with a start of horror that she’d been so preoccupied in her own misery that she hadn’t even heard the door open.

How long had he been standing there?

Did he know she was crying?

‘Just doing the pool, Patrick,’ she said brightly. ‘Did you want me?’

Oh, for goodness’ sake, she’d done it again! Used the wrong words at absolutely the wrong time.

‘Yes, I want you.’ His tone was firm. Steady. ‘I thought we’d already established that. I also thought we’d established that you want me, too.’

Hayley blinked back tears and concentrated on the surface of the pool. ‘Patrick, this really isn’t a good time. We should—’

‘I have something to say to you and I want you to listen.’

Hayley froze. He was probably going to tell her that she’d upset Alfie. ‘Honestly, I really don’t—Can we talk later?’

‘No.’ He was right behind her and he drew her to her feet, turning her so that she faced him. ‘There are things I want to say to you, and they can’t wait. I love you, Hayley.’ His voice soft, Patrick took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. ‘I love you, sweetheart.’